9 Short Celebrities Who Are Big on Style

If you’re vertically challenged, take inspiration from these petite starlets who prove it doesn’t matter the number of inches you have to your name to take fashion to new heights. These short celebrities still look like they just stepped off the runway — and so can you.

1. Reese Witherspoon

You may not have even realized that Reese Witherspoon is on the shorter side as she stands quite tall for her 5-foot-2 frame. While the darling blonde has her bright personality to thank for her attention-grabbing presence on both the red carpet and off, her style has also done plenty to further the vertical illusion. Her sophisticated yet sweetly feminine looks, such as flirty blouses and fit-and-flare skirts, strike just the right proportions.

2. Eva Longoria

The sassy Latina star sacrifices nothing when it comes to her style, proving that even at 5-foot-2, she can dress with the best. One of her go-to garments is a form-fitting V-neck or scoop-neck dress that elongates her frame. Such vertical necklines, whether they be on dresses or tops, should be a staple in every petite girl’s wardrobe because of the lengthening effect on the body. Eva also never met a mermaid silhouette she didn’t love, and this hourglass effect highlights beautiful curves without becoming too overbearing for a shorter girl.

3. Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick is another darling among the shorter celebrities who you may not initially think about for her sense of style. But the starlet dresses to impress with girly yet glamorous outfits that are prim and pretty while accentuating every inch of her 5-foot-2 height. She wins with simple yet impactful silhouettes and color palettes. She’s also been known to favor color-blocked designs as a way to make her legs and the lower half of her body appear longer.

4. Zoe Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz takes her look to the next level at the premiere of Mad Max: Fury Road. | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Something of a style chameleon, Zoe Kravitz easily moves between a variety of eye-catching looks. From the androgynous to the avant-garde, the starlet is never without her signature rock-and-roll edge. Yet she manages to look exceptionally polished — and much taller than her 5-foot-2 height — many times by opting for monochromatic moments. The singular color creates a beautifully uninterrupted line on the body, thus elongating it.

5. Salma Hayek

If there’s a voluptuous bombshell in the midst of the petite vixens, then it is Salma Hayek. The 5-foot-2 actress lets her curves (not her height) do the talking with fitted, hourglass gowns and feminine dresses. The lesson is simple here: Celebrate your assets. For Salma, she may not have height on her side but she certainly makes up for it with plenty of va-va-voom flair.

6. Nicole Richie

Many moons ago, Nicole Richie was known as Paris Hilton’s sidekick on The Simple Life, where her style left something to be desired. After a complete transformation, the petite beauty now commands attention with her sophisticated, bohemian aesthetic that always comes equipped with a bit of edginess and often the hint of retro appeal. Of course, her House of Harlow 1960 fashion line is also testament to her status as a style icon. So strong are her looks that her 5-foot-1 height really doesn’t even factor into the equation, as she creates statuesque lines through flowing silhouettes and defined waistlines that create length for days.

7. Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen

While Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen’s avant-garde styling isn’t for everyone, there’s no doubt this duo (standing at 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-3, respectively) make an impact on the fashion circuit. The former child stars parlayed their personal sense of style into their own brands, The Row and Elizabeth & James, featuring collections that ooze with relaxed, timeless elegance and trendsetting, cool-girl appeal. Some may call a few of their baggier looks rather disheveled, but if anything, the twins prove that even the petite don’t have to completely rule out long dresses and excess fabric — as long as it’s worn with confidence (and perhaps a pair of heels).

8. Rachel Bilson

Rachel Bilson shows off her style at the CW Network’s New York 2014 Upfront Presentation. | Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

When it comes to Rachel Bilson, she clothes her 5-foot-2 physique with plenty of effortless flair. Her street style strikes the right balance between laid back and trend-forward, all with a cool-girl Cali vibe. Plus, she’s not afraid to rock a few individualized, quirky exits either. She knows proportion is everything when it comes to dressing for height. Whether it’s a properly fitted, shrunken blazer worn with distressed denim and block heels or a sweetly patterned frock accessorized with a belt and booties, it’s all about mixing and matching pieces correctly.

9. Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson has become somewhat of a mogul who has built much of her brand on fashion. Her lifestyle collection of clothing, shoes, and accessories certainly appeals to the trendsetting masses who want a piece of their favorite star’s style. Of course, she’s always flaunted every bit of her 5-foot-3 frame whether she’s wearing Daisy Dukes, miniskirts, or mega high heels. If anything, she’s taught all of the petite women that showing some skin with the pins can certainly take a small frame to leggy new heights. Of course, a solid pair of sky-high heels is always a good idea, too.